ASEAN: Mechanical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Mechanical Wood Pulp Market Size in ASEAN

The ASEAN mechanical wood pulp market shrank to $X in 2022, reducing by -2.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 5.5%. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Production in ASEAN

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 8.6% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in ASEAN

Mechanical wood pulp exports rose modestly to X tons in 2022, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 275%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp exports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 234%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Malaysia represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 53% of total exports. Thailand (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Vietnam (X tons) and Singapore (X tons). All these countries together held near 47% share of total exports.

Malaysia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the mechanical wood pulp exports, with a CAGR of +26.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Vietnam (+10.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Thailand experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Singapore (-33.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Malaysia (+52 p.p.), Thailand (+20 p.p.) and Vietnam (+17 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Singapore saw its share reduced by -36.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Thailand ($X) remains the largest mechanical wood pulp supplier in ASEAN, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Malaysia ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Thailand stood at +2.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Malaysia (+11.8% per year) and Vietnam (+9.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in ASEAN amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -7.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a notable expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 308% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in ASEAN

In 2022, mechanical wood pulp imports in ASEAN soared to X tons, growing by 50% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, faced a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 338% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 348% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the one major importers of mechanical wood pulp, namely Indonesia, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

Indonesia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the mechanical wood pulp imports, with a CAGR of -14.8% from 2012 to 2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Indonesia increased by +1.9 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported mechanical wood pulp in ASEAN.

In Indonesia, mechanical wood pulp imports declined by an average annual rate of -15.8% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in ASEAN amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 24%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Indonesia.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Indonesia amounted to -1.2% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform